Termite Part 3 of 3

Baseline Practices for Performing 13645 WDO Inspections

DACS/AES Guidelines for 13645 Inspections

Prepared by the DACS appointed Committee to Draft Baselines

for 13645 Inspections

Learning Objectives:
To understand the reason for the baseline document
To be better able to perform WDO inspections
To be better able to document the results of WDO inspections

Baseline practices for performing 13645 WDO inspections.

Introduction
This document, Baseline Practices for a WDO Inspection represents the culmination of a
nearly two year effort by a committee comprised of 12 members of the pest control industry. The
WDO Inspection Practices committee was formed in August 2005 and met monthly with the
purpose of developing a set of minimum practices for the purposes of performing WoodDestroying Organisms Inspections (WDOI) for real estate transactions. The committee was
comprised of members representing FPMA, CPCO, COSWFL, FDACS, University of Florida,
and an attorney who represents the industry and numerous pest control operators/companies. It is
noteworthy to mention that this effort was initiated by the industry and that DACS, while an
integral part of the discussions, participated as a non-voting member of the committee.
The final product of the committees efforts was accomplished through the meticulous
consideration and debate of each facet of a WDOI. Reaching consensus on a set of good
industry practice standards (GIPS) among the varied groups represented on this committee
with so many differing opinions was no simple task. Please consider that the committees
intent was to improve this sector of pest control services.

Purpose The purpose of this document is to develop good industry practices that
describe the manner in which a 13645 inspection is conducted in accordance with
Chapter 482 Florida Statutes and Chapter 5E-14 Florida Administrative Code. Chapter
482.226(1), Florida Statutes states in pertinent part that The [WDO] inspection shall be
made in accordance with good industry practice and standards... The problem facing the
Florida Pest Control Industry is that it does not currently have a set of good industry practices
(GIPS) and/or standards for the performance of WDOIs. The following good industry
practices establish guidelines for the performance of a wood-destroying organism
inspection (Form 13645). These recommendations set forth the requirements for a
minimally acceptable inspection. This document is intended for use by trained WDO
inspectors. The recommended practices do not preclude a more stringent and
comprehensive inspection.
It should be understood that the purpose of the Form 13645 inspection is to communicate
the condition of the structure regarding the presence of WDOs at the time the inspection
was performed. The report thus becomes a snapshot in time and provides no data as to
the conditions of the structure before the inspection was made, or afterward. It is
important to note that industry-wide acceptance of these GIPS should not impact the
majority of pest control companies who currently provide adequate WDOI services.

Expectations - Licensees and Certified Operators in Charge should ensure that they
obtain Wood-Destroying Organism Identification Cards only for persons who possess
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adequate knowledge of wood-destroying organisms based on appropriate validation by

the licensee or certified operator in charge and that the individual has the ability to
perform wood-destroying organism inspections. Additionally, the Licensee and Certified
Operator in Charge should provide the training, tools and equipment necessary to
perform an inspection in accordance with these good industry practices.
Document Objectives
The resulting GIPS delineated herein represent a bare bones minimum set of WDO
inspection practices. The document is NOT intended to:
Limit a company from implementing their own inspection requirements which exceed
those delineated in this document, or
Read like a company policy.
Projected Results
Industry-wide acceptance of a set of GIPS offers a reasonable first step toward
making needed improvements in the performance of WDOIs in Florida by raising
the bar on the performance of WDOI.
By following these GIPS a licensee may help mitigate some of the high costs of
litigation related to WDOI complaints.
Protect pest control companies performing these services by defining expectations
and limitations of WDOIs.
Demonstrate a concern for the consumers by setting the expectations and limitation of
a WDOI

Regulatory Requirements
Inspection for wood destroying organisms is regulated as a pest control activity under the
Florida Structural Pest Control Act, Chapter 482, Florida Statutes. 482.226 requires that
when an inspection for wood destroying organisms is conducted for the purposes of a real
estate transaction, and either a fee is charged, or a written report is requested, that a
person qualified under Chapter 482 FS issue the report. 482.226 are provided below.
Section 482.226 also includes requirements as to what the report must include (482.226
(2) FS), and a requirement that a notice of the inspection be posted in the access area to
the attic or crawl or other accessible area of the structure inspected (482.226 (4) FS).
Licensees who perform wood destroying organism inspections for real estate transactions
are required to have a minimum of $50,000 in insurance coverage (or a bond) for
professional liability for errors and omissions, or demonstrate an equity or net worth of
no less than $ 100,000 (482.226 (6) FS).
The report must include at a minimum (482.226 (2)(a) FS):
1. The licensee's name.
2. The date of the inspection.
3. The address of the structure inspected.
4. Any visible accessible areas not inspected and the reasons for not inspecting them.
5. The areas of the structure that were inaccessible.

6. Any visible evidence of previous treatments for, or infestations of, wood-destroying

organisms.
7. The identity of any wood-destroying organisms observed or discovered and any visible
damage caused.
8. A statement that a notice of the inspection has been affixed to the property in
accordance and a statement of the location of the notice.
The inspection report must also include a statement certifying that neither the inspector
nor the licensee by whom the inspection is made has any financial interest in the property
inspected or is associated in any way in the transaction with any party to the transaction
other than for inspection purposes (482.226 (2)(d) FS).
In addition, if treatment is made to the structure at the time of the inspection, the report
must include information on the name of each WDO for which treatment was provided at
the time of the inspection, the name of the pesticide used, and the conditions and terms
associated with that treatment (482.226 (2)(b) FS).
An inspection report does not constitute a guarantee of the absence of wood-destroying
organisms or damage unless the report specifically states the extent of such guarantee
(482.226 (2)(c)), F.S.
The Department has adopted a rule (Chapter 5E-14.142 (2)(c), Florida Administrative
Code) that specifies form 13645 (rev. 05/08) be used to report any inspection
conducted under Chapter 482.226 (1) FS. Form 13645 includes all of the information
required under Section 482.226(2)(a) FS and the statements required in Section
482.226(2)(b), (c), and (d) FS.
The rule also states the general standards that must be met when conducting an
inspection. These include:

inspection of all areas accessible by normal means, except those areas that are
enclosed or inaccessible, areas concealed by wall coverings, floor coverings,
furniture, equipment, stored articles, insulation, or any portion of the structure
in which inspection would necessitate removing or defacing any part of the
structure,

that the inspection be visual but that it may include probing and sounding of
structural members as deemed necessary by the inspector, based upon a
preliminary finding of visual evidence of infestation or damage, and

that the inspection shall include an examination for visual evidence of wooddecaying fungi and damage caused by wood-decaying fungi.

Section (3) of 5E-14.142 (2) (c) states that wood-decaying fungi are fungi that can cause
damage to wood, such as those that produce white rot, brown rot, poria, and cubical rot,
but not surface molds that do not cause damage to sound wood.
Damage and deterioration in structures caused by exposure to water and sunlight are not
reportable on a WDO 13645 report.

Examples of the above include delamination of wood veneer materials, water stains,
peeling, separation and other breakdown of cellulose materials (i.e., particle board and
masonite siding) where wood decay fungi are not present.

Definitions Pertaining to WDO Inspections

For purposes of performing a wood-destroying organisms inspection for a real
estate transaction, the following definitions shall apply:
1. Attic Access a visible and unobstructed opening, scuttle or ladder installed
specifically for physical entry into attic area of a structure.
2. Accessible Area an area of a structure to which the person performing the
inspection can either gain physical entry in order to identify and/or determine the
presence of wood-destroying organisms.
3. Access Panel a visible and unobstructed removable cover, plate or panel installed
specifically for the purposes of conducting a visual inspection of the interior of a wall
or void.
4. Damage (caused by WDOs) any degradation or deterioration of wood,
cellulosic, or non-cellulosic components of a structure through the activity of WDO.
Damage is not limited to wooden structural members. Examples of damage include
insect consumption of cellulose materials (galleries and mining), or WDO created
holes (adult emergence holes, kick out holes, swarm holes) in any structural material.
Additionally, the deterioration of any cellulose material by the presence of wood
decay fungi creates damage. Areas of a structure that may have been obscured by
paint or patching materials but that can still be identified by the inspector as WDO
damage, must be reported as damage.
5. Defacement to property when the inspection process causes damage or creates
unsightliness to the structure being inspected whether it be intentional or accidental.
6. Evidence visible signs of wood-destroying organisms other than damage or live
activity the presence of which indicates possible infestation. Examples of evidence
include; termite wings, dead insects, drywood termite fecal pellets, powder post
beetle frass, old house borer frass, subterranean mud shelter tubes and carton
material. Areas of a structure that may have been obscured by paint or patching
materials but that can still be identified by the inspector as WDO evidence, must be
reported as evidence.
7. Good Industry Practice performance of wood-destroying organisms inspections
in keeping with guidance set forth in this document (2006) developed by the

structural pest control industry in cooperation with the Florida Department of

Agriculture and Consumer Services.
8. Inaccessible Area any area of a structure which is not accessible including, but
not necessarily limited to those areas that are enclosed or concealed by wall
coverings, floor coverings, furniture, equipment, stored articles, insulation or any
portion of the structure in which inspection would necessitate removing or defacing
any part of the structure, or cannot be inspected due to the areas height, width, or
safety concerns.
9. Live the detection and observation of living immature or adult wood-destroying
insects and active wood decay fungi.
10. Multi-Unit Structureafter 5E-14.102(9), F.A.C. A structure, consisting of one
or more stories, composed of functionally distinct units, such as stores, offices,
apartments, town houses, and condominiums, in which units share a common wall of
wood or metal studs or single masonry walls, including fire walls.
11. Normal Means inspection of visible and accessible areas performed following
the guidance in this document.
12. Probing the act of penetrating through the surface of a suspected area to
determine the type of WDO present/ Probing will cause some degree of defacement
to the property. Defacing property shall be strictly limited to that which is required
to determine the type of WDO damage/evidence present.
13. Sounding the non invasive act of tapping on suspected areas of the structure with
a tool in order to detect possible evidence of a WSO that may not be visible.
14. Structure For the purpose of a WDOIR, this means a building with a roof built
for habitation or storage, including attached decks, and the portion of any fence
touching or adjoining to a structure, on the designated property. The following are
not considered structures for the purpose of a WDOIR, unless specifically requested
to be inspected:
Vehicles
Transport trailers
Boats
Treehouses
Detached pumphouses
Pet houses
Play houses
Detached storage sheds constructed entirely of metal or plastic
Transportable storage units
Docks
Note: the definition of structure as defined in Chapter 482.021(26), F.S. was intended
to address fumigation issues. For the purposes of a WDO inspection the definition of
structure is as set forth above.
15. Substructure - a shallow space below the living/occupied areas of at least a
partially basementless structure normally enclosed by the foundation walls.
16. Substructure Access a visible and unobstructed removable cover or opening that
provides for physical entry beneath a structure.

17. Tools see Tools and Equipment section for the list of required tools.
18. Treatment - is any method or device or the application of any substance routinely
performed by a Pest Control Company for the purposes of preventing, controlling,
eradicating, mitigating, diminishing, or curtailing a WDO in, on, or under a structure.
19. Visible - Can be seen by the person performing the inspection at the time of the
inspection without the need for visual enhancement other than illumination.

Tools and Equipment

Minimum tools and equipment that must be available are:
1. Flashlights or portable lights sufficient to illuminate areas which need to be
illuminated during inspection.
2. Ladder sufficient for inspector to safely reach up to 8 feet to access interior attic
openings.
3. Slotted head and Phillips head screw drivers.
4. Inspection notices as required by Chapter 482 FS.
5. Hand lens or magnifying device1 with sufficient power to distinguish and identify
wings, pellets, frass, etc., of a WDO.
6. Measuring device or tape measure.
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Can be available at the office

Inspection Procedures
Attic Inspections
General:
Attic inspections must provide for the following clearance for inspection purposes.
Height to Access Opening:
The maximum (with out a pull-down ladder or staircase) should be 8 feet. No furniture,
debris, permanent fixtures, shelving, appliances, household or stored items are to be
under or around the opening/access area that hinders safe access. Opening or access area
to attic must be specifically designed for the function of accessing the attics. Dropped
ceiling panels are not to be considered as an access opening. There must be sufficient
room to safely place and utilize a ladder (if necessary to gain access) without causing
damage to the home or items in the area of the attic access. If any of these conditions
exist, that particular attic access is considered inaccessible for the purposes of this
inspection.
Attic Access Opening:
The opening should be a minimum of 20 X 20.

Interior space of Attic:

Fig 1. Cross section of attic space.

Attics will be inspected whenever there is an opening through the truss webbing
(passageways) with dimensions of at least 48 in height and 22 in width (See Fig 1).
Inspections of truss tails and soffit areas should be included to the extent they are
accessible under the conditions existing in the interior attic space at the time of the
inspection. Areas of the attic space may be considered inaccessible for inspection
purposes if traversal of the interior attic space is obstructed by insulation which conceals
the ceiling joists and no other means of traversal exists. Areas to be inspected that are
concealed or blocked by insulation, HVAC equipment, electrical or other utility lines,
stored items, pipe and chimney chases are considered inaccessible.

Specific Areas:

Inspect all visible wood members for signs of WDO

Look for evidence on top of insulation, in spider webs, or on any visible surface in the
attic

However those areas that are not completely accessible but can be observed and the
WDO identified by the use of a lighting device should be reported.

Inspecting the Exterior of the Structure

General
WDO inspectors must familiarize themselves with the structure(s) to be inspected. The
inspection of each structure shall include all sides of the building exterior and shall be
limited to the first level, ground floor level up to a height of ten (10) feet (exception
areas above the 10 foot level that can be visually identified by the naked eye as evidence
or damage by WDOs may be reported). An inspection of the exterior will not require use
of a ladder or necessitate the inspector entering onto the roof.

Areas of the exterior perimeter of the structure may be considered inaccessible if

obstructed by structural or landscaping features such as, but not necessarily limited to:
Attached sheds, decks, fences and other structures or attachments
Shrubbery and ornamental plantings
Mulch and/or ground cover
Stored items and debris
Visual evidence or damage of WDOs that cannot be verified, accessed or confirmed may
be reported in the Comments Section of the WDO Report Form, 13645.
The inspection will be visual but may include probing and sounding of structural
members as deemed necessary by the inspector, based upon a preliminary finding of
visual evidence of infestation or damage (5E-14.142(2)(c)2).

Specific Areas
Examples of areas to inspect that may lead to the presence of WDOs include the
following:

Wood/soil Contact
Planter Boxes
Siding
Fences (must be inspected at the point of attachment to the structure if accessible.)
Exterior doors
Windows, door frames and shutters
Window wells
Balconies accessible by normal means
Fascia and soffit
Decks (attached or contiguous with the structure must be inspected if accessible)
Lattice work and skirting around mobile homes and crawl spaces
Chimneys
Porches

Inspecting the Interior of the Structure

General
It is suggested that the inspector perform a general overview of the structure to
familiarize themselves with the general layout of the structure to be inspected.
Evidence of and damage caused by WDOs in living areas is often hidden by furniture,
floor coverings and interior finish and trim. Inspectors need to concentrate their efforts in
those areas most likely to present visible evidence of WDOs.
The inspection will be visual but may include probing and sounding of structural
members as deemed necessary by the inspector, based upon a preliminary finding of
visual evidence of infestation or damage (5E-14.142(2)(c)2).

Specific Areas
General interior of rooms
Areas obstructed by items such as furniture, wall coverings/hangings, floor coverings
(rugs, mats), blinds & drapery (cornice and valance), stored items (boxes, containers,
clothing, etc), plants, or other household items will be considered inaccessible.
Interior inspections are performed from the floor level of each room inspected.
General signs of infestation for the specific areas listed below include insect exit
holes, frass, fecal pellets, mud tubes, termite wings, blistering, and wood-decay
Evidence of and/or damage caused by WDOs may come in the form of wings, frass,
fecal pellets, mud tubes, galleries, and termite exit holes.
An exit hole caused by a WDO is both evidence and damage.

Access Panels
Open and/or remove access panels and inspect the accessible area for evidence or activity
of WDOs and/or damage such as termite wings, mud tubes and galleries. Access panels
may include areas that are not specifically related to plumbing.

Doors and Windows

Inspect window and door frames for evidence of or damage caused by wood-destroying
organisms. Wood-decay fungi problems are common in frames due to water intrusion.
Frames are also subject to subterranean termite infestation because of their close
proximity to the ground and moisture. It is suggested the inspector also look for evidence
in spider webs, door and window tracks.
Interior Walls
Visually inspect wall surfaces for waviness, blistering, slightly raised areas and peeling.
If termites have been working inside the wall, they sometimes consume the paper
between the gypsum and the paint, and this area may crumble when pressed.

Baseboards and Trim

Emphasis should be placed on the inspection of all accessible baseboards and trim due
the propensity for infestation of these areas. When visible evidence or damage is present
in this area, sounding and probing are recommended to ascertain the type of WDO
present.
Wood Flooring
Inspect accessible wood flooring for WDO evidence and damage. Special attention
should be given to flooring adjacent to entry areas, plumbing penetrations, HVAC
registers, areas of obvious buckling in the floor, fireplaces and staircases. Wood floors at
ground level may indicate the presence of a substructure crawl space (see substructure
crawl space).
Cabinets
Inspect accessible areas of kitchen, bathroom and other cabinets; particularly those that
contain sinks and pipes. Also check built in bookcases and alcoves.

Substructure Inspections
General
Substructure areas will be inspected whenever there is an entryway to the area that has an
opening of at least 16 in height and 24 in width. Substructure areas that are blocked by
plumbing, ductwork or other items may be excluded from the inspection. Additionally,
areas that are less than 24 from the bottom of the floor joists to the ground are not
required to be physically entered. However, those areas that cannot be physically entered
into yet can be observed by use of a lighting device should be inspected visually to the
extent possible. Investigation should be made to ascertain if an interior entryway exists
for crawl space areas that do not have an exterior entryway. (See Definition of
Accessible Area, Access Panel for inspecting areas where full accessibility is
limited).

Safety Concerns
Safety concerns rendering a substructure or portions thereof inaccessible include but may
not be limited to items such as:

Sewage waste
Broken glass
Unprotected electric lines
Biting arthropods
Vermin or other animals
Plenum space

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Portions of a substructure may be deemed inaccessible due to a safety concern. However,

this does not automatically render the entire substructure inaccessible unless no other
path to traverse the remaining structure exists. Any and all portions that are accessible
are to be inspected and findings reported.

Visible Evidence of Previous Treatment

The following items may be indicators of treatment for termites and other WDOs. Items,
which cannot be positively confirmed as a treatment for WDOs by a copy of a contract or
warranty, may be reported in the comment section of the report form.
Look Inside For
Treatment notices
Drill holes along expansion joints or stress cracks found in garage and interior areas
Drill holes near plumbing penetrations.
Above ground termite bait stations.
Dye on exposed wood studs and sheathing in garage or unfinished rooms.
Drill holes in exposed surfaces (usually in a line or pattern). Drywood termite spot
treatments
Look in Attic For
Treatment notices at or near access opening.
Evidence of previous treatment such as:
o Drill holes related to WDO treatments
o Dye on exposed wood rafters, joists or sheathing

Look in Substructure For

Treatment notices on or near crawl door
Evidence of previous treatment such as:
o Drill holes in block foundation walls and/or block piers
o Evidence of trenching adjacent to foundation walls, piers or pier footings
o Dye on exposed wood sills, floor joists or flooring
o Drill holes in exposed wood related to WDO treatments
o Moisture barrier related to the control of Wood decay fungi
o Baiting systems for termites
Look Outside For
Drill holes in foundation walls from horizontal drilling (supported or floating slabs)
Drill holes along any attached slab such as patio, air conditioner slab, or walkway
expansion joints
Evidence of trenching along foundation perimeter
Baiting systems for termites
Clearly identifiable termite treatment port for injection under the slab

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Inspecting Multiunit Structures

When a WDO Inspection is requested for an entire multi-unit structure, the inspection
will be performed in accordance with recommended standards set forth in this document.
When a WDO Inspection is requested for less than an entire multi-unit structure, when
the unit being inspected is at ground level, that unit shall receive an exterior and interior
inspection; any unit above the ground level shall receive an interior inspection. When an
attic space exists and is accessible from within the unit being inspected the attic is to be
included in the inspection. When inspecting a unit above the ground floor that has a
balcony or porch the visible and accessible areas are to be inspected without the use of a
ladder.
When a WDO inspection is performed on an individual unit or portion of a multi-unit
structure or a multi-unit dwelling, as defined in Chapter 5E-14.102(9)&(11), FAC, it shall
be identified on the Wood-Destroying Organisms Inspection Report (Form 13645) that
the inspection is specific to those unit(s) or portion(s) identified on the Report form.

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